Gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser



June 23, 1931. H F, RE|CHENBACH 1,810,985'

GANG OR MULTIPLEk UNIT VARIABLE ELECTRIC CONDENSER Filed Feb. 10. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1931. H. F, REICHENBACH GANG 0R MULTIPLE UNIT VARIABLE ELECTRIC CONDENSER Filed Feb. l0. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q @WC mw $15 w mi @S y IJ m ...mm

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Patented .fune 23,. 193i unirse STATES PATENT orrrce HOWARD F. BEICEENBACH; 'WOLGOTT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO GHB-.SE GOM'.- PANIES, ING., F WATERBURY, GNNEGTCUT, A. CORPORAG'N GANG' 0R MLTIPIaE-UNIT v VARIBLE ELECTRIC CONDENSER .applicaties med february to, 192e. serial no. 253,338.

This invention relates to an improvement Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on the in gang or multiple-unit variable electric condensers, and particularly to gang or multiple-unit condensers adapted forv use in connecti on with radio-receiving sets, though not so limited.

The object of this invention is to produce a simple, accurate, and easily-adjustable multiple-unit variable condenser constructed with particular reference to minimizing lost motion between the various units thereof.

With this object in view, my invention consists in a multiple-unit variable electric condenser characterized by a plurality of condenser-units, each comprising two complementary members having vanes offsetting from them, one of the said members .having bodily movement with respect to its complementary member in a plane parallel with said vanes, so as to telescope its vanes between the vanes of the said complementary member to vary the capacity of' the condenser, and means connecting the movable elements of the various units together for synchronous movement.

My invention further consists in a multiple-unit variable electric condenser characterized as above andhaving certain details of construction and combination of parts as will be hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a top or plan view ofone form of multiple-unit condenser embodying my invention, the panel being shown 1n horizontal section; l

Fig. 2-isaniend view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a. view thereof'm vertical longitudinal section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a corresponding view but showing the movable members of the two condenserunits telescoped into their complementary members;

Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of one of the movable condenser-members; p

Fi 6 is `an end view of another form of multiple-unit condenser embodying 'my invcntion;

Fig. 7 is a view thereof in horizontal section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

line 8--8 of Figs. 6 and 7; and

Fig. 9 is'a detached perspective View of one of the condenser-members shown in Fig. 6.

In carrying out my invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, l employ two corresponding condenser-units A and B, each comprising a normally-stationary member 10 and a complementary movable member 11. Each of the said members consists of a group of centrally-perforated nested cups 12 of graduated diameters mounted upon a bushing 13 and clamped between the flange la thereof and a clamping-nut 15 which is screwed upon the threaded end of the said bushing. A thin body 16 of fiber serves to insulate each group of cups from its respectivel bushing 13` and clamping-nut 15." The bushing 13 of each of the members is provided with an axial bore 17 through which extends a long supportingrod 18, the respective opposite ends of which enLer sockets 19 formed at the upper ends of vertical sheet-metal brackets 2O upstanding from a baseboard 21.

The members 11 of the respective condenser-units A and B are coupled together for concurrent movement by means of a pair of tie-rods 22 composed of insulating material,

such as fiber, and extending between a pair of ears 23 soldered to and extending outward from each o f the said members 11 at diametri'- cally-opposlte points thereon. The opposite ends of each of the tie-rods 22 pass through` the said ears 23 of the respective members 11 and are threaded as shown for the application of nuts 24 for adjustably coupling the said members together.

For concurrently moving both of the members `11 toward their complementary normally-stationary members 10, I provide an operating-cam 25v mounted upon a horizontal shaft 26l bearing, at its inner end, in the supporting-rod 18, from which, it extends out- 'ward at a right angle so as to bear at its outer end in a bushing 27 mounted in a front panel 28 upstanding from the baseboard-21 aforesaid. The extreme outer end of the shaft 26 is provided with a graduated dial 29 and serrated control-knob 30, by means of which latter the cam 25 may be turned to eov move the members 11 of both of the condenser-units A and B concurrently toward their respective complementary-members 10 against the resistance of helical springs 31 and 32 encircling the supportingrod 18 and respectively extending between the bushings 13 of the members 10 and 11 of each of the said condenser-units A and B.

For the purpose of providing a micrometer adjustment for the condenser-unit A, independent of the unit B, as may be required in some types of radio installation, I provide a small cam 33 mounted near the inner end of a short horizontal shaft 34 bearing at its inner end in the supporting-rod 18 and at its outer end in a bushing 35 in the panel 28 aforesaid.v The spring 31, before mentioned, serves to yieldingly hold the bushing 13 of the member 10 of the unit A against the cam 33, so that, as the same is turned bv means of a serrated ngenbutton 36 secured to the outer end of its shaft 34, the said member 10 may be moved to a slight degree to- Ward or away from its complementary member 11. lthe stationary member 19 of the condenser-unit 1B is urged by the spring 32 against a stop-disk 37 which is secured to the supporting-rod 18 by means of a bolt 38 and nut 39. i

From the foregoing it will be seen that by turning the control-knob 30 and hence the cam 25, the respective members 11 of both of the condenser-units A and B will be moved so as to telescope the annular flangelike Walls of the cups 12 thereof into the corresponding cups 12 of the members 10, as shown in Fig. 4. The degree to which these cups are telescoped together Will correspondingly affect the capacity of the condenserunits.

As shown, provision is made for the micrometer adjustment of the condenser-unit A by providing the same with the small cam 33, by means of which the member 10, though normally stationary, may be moved With rcs ect to the member 11 to increase or decrease tlie capacity of this condenser-unit, independent of the unit B. It is obvious, Without further illustration, that if the exigencies of any given installation should Arequire it, similar provision may be made for moving the stationary member 10.0f the condenserunit B toward and away from its comple,- mentary member 11.

The form of multiple-.unit condenser shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive of the drawings comprises three corresponding condenser-units C, D and E, each comprlsing a normally-stationary member 40 and a movable member 41. The condenser-members 40 und 41 are each composed of a group of'centrally-perforated nested Ueshaped sheetmetal plates 42, the distances between the ofi"- setting legs or vanes 43 of which are graduated so that the vanes of 011e member Will rameau enter between the vanes of its complementary member. Each group of U-shaped plates comprising the individual unit members is mounted upon a bushing 44, so as to be clamped between the angev 45 thereof and a clamping-nut 46 screwed upon its upper threaded end. A thin body 47 of liber serves to insulate each group of U-shaped members from its respective bushing 44 and clampingnut 46.

The bushing 44 of each of the members is provided With a square axial bore 48 through which a square horizontally,-arranged supJ porting-tube 49 extends, the respective op posite ends of which enter sockets 50 formed at the upper ends of vertically-arranged sheet-metal brackets 51 upst-anding from a baseboard 52.

The movable members 41 ot the respective condenser-units C, D and E are coupled 'together for concurrent movement by means of a square coupling-bar 53 sliding within the supporting-tube 49 and coupled to the bushinor of each of the members 41 of the respective units by means of a pin 54 extending through it and diametrically through the tlanges 45 of the bushings 44 of each of the said members. The opposite walls of the supporting-tube 49 are formed with longitudinal clearance-slots 55 for the passage -of the said pin 54 and to permit the same to slide back and forth with referencev to the said tube as may be required to adjust the condenser-units. Extending between the bushings 44 of the respective members of each condenser-unit C, D and E is a helical spring 56 which encircles the said tube 49 and exerts a constant eiiort to separate the respective members of each unit.

For moving all of the members 41 of the condenser-units C, D and E concurrently toward 'their complementary normallystation ary members 40, I provide an operating-cum 57 mounted upon a horizontal shaft 58 bearing at its inner end in the supporting-tube 49, from which it extends outward at a right angle, so as to bear at its outer end in a bushing 59 mounted in a front panel G0 upstanding from the baseboard 52 aforesaid. The extreme outer end of the shaft 58 is provided With a graduated dial 6l and a serrated control-knobv62,by means of which latter the cam 57 may be turned to move the members 41 as a unit toward the other complementary normally-stationary members 40 against the resistance of the springs 5G encircling the supportingftube 49 as previously described. The inner end of the shaft 58 just mentioned passes through the coupling-rod 53, which is formed with a clearance-slot 63 to pci-init its reciprocating movement within thel tube 49. The projectinginner und of thc said shaft is encircled by a helical tension spring 64 which bears at its forward end against the rear face of the tube 49 and at its rear end against an adjusting-nut held in place upon the threaded inner end of the said shaft by a jam-nut 66. p

For the purpose of providing a micrometer adjustment for the condenser-unit C, independent of the units D and E, as may be required in some types of radio installation, I provide a small cam 67 mounted near the inner end of a short horizontal shaft 68 bearing at its inner end in a supporting-tube 49 and at its outer end in a bushing 69 in the panel 60 aforesaid. The projecting inner end of the shaft 68 just described is encircled by a helical spring 69a bearing at its forward end against the rear face of the supportingtube 49 and at its inner end against an adjusting-nut 70 held in place upon the threaded inner end of the said shaft by a jam-nut 71.

The spring 56 of the said unit C serves to yieldingly hold 'the bushing 44 of the member 4() thereof against the cam 67, so that, as the same is turned by means of a serrated finger-button 72 secured to the outer end of its shaft 68, the said member 40 may be moved to a slight degree toward or away from its complementary member 41 to minutely vary the capacity of the unit C.

The stationary member 4() of the unit D is held in place upon the supporting-tube 49 by means of a set-screw 73 extending through the flange 45 of its bushing 44. f-

The normally-stationary member 40'of the unit E is urged by its spring 56 against a cam-shaped stop 74clamped against the supporting-tube 49 by a screwl 7 5 extending transversely through the said tube and also through the coupling-bar 53 which is provided with a clearance-slot 76 to clear the same.

I claim:

l. A gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser, comprising a plurality of condenser-units, each consisting of a pair of complementary members each having a plurality of vanes offsetting towardA the vanes of its complementary member; means for coupling one member of one unit to a member of an adjoining unit; means for impartingl concurrent bodily movement to the coupled members ina planeparallel with the vanes thereof, so as to telescope the same between the vanes of their complementary members; and spring means normally urging the coupled members away rom their respective complementary members; whereby the capacity of a plurality of units may be simultaneously varied with a minimum of lost motion.

2. A gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser, comprising a plurality of condenser-units, each consisting 'of a pair of complementary members each having a plurality et vanes offsetting toward the vanes of its .complementary member; means for coupling bers in a plane paralleLwith the vanes thereof, so as to telescope the same between the vanes of their complementary members; and means for moving the uncoupled'member of one unit with respect to. its complementary coupled member, so as 'to vary the capacity of one unit independent of another; whereby the capacity of a plurality of units may be simultaneously varied with a minimum of lost motion. i i

3. A gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser, comprising `a pair 'of complementary melnbers each having a plurality of vanes offsetting toward the vanes ofits complementary member; a spring interposed between the respective members of each unit for urging them apart; means for coupling one member of one unit to a member of an adjoining unit; and means for imparting concurrent bodily movement to the coupled members in a plane parallel with the vanes thereof, so as 11o-telescope the same between the vanes of their complementary members; whereby the capacity of a plurality of units may be simultaneously varied with a minimum of lost motion.

4. A gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser, comprising a supportingrod; a plurality of condenser-units mounted upon the said rod and each consisting of a pair of complementary members each having a plurality of vanes roffsetting toward the vanes of its complementary member; a helical Yspring encircling the said supportingrod and urging the respective members of the units apart; means for coupling one member of one unit to a member of 'an adjoining unit; `and means for imparting concurrent bodily movement to the coupled members yin a plane parallel with the vanes thereof, so as to telescope the same between 'the vanes of their complementary members; vwhereby the capacity of a purality of units may be simultaneously variedwith a minimum of lost motion;

5. A gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser, comprising a supporting rod; a plurality of condenser-units mounted yupon the said rod and each consisting of a ilo paeity of a plurality ontl units muy be simultaneously varied with, e minimum et lo l' metion.

G. A gang or multiple-unit verieble elentrie condenser, cempi'isiifrg` e suppertinggrod; a plurality ol? eondenserunits mounted upon the seid supporting-rod eeeli een sisting of e pair of complementary members each having ai plurality of venes olilsetting toward the venes ot its complementary mem ber; means for coupling one member 4el? one unit to :i member ol" en adjoining; unit; e cem for imparting concurrent bodily movement to the coupled members in e piene parallel with the venes thereof, so es to telescope the seme between the vaines oli their complementary members, end rotatable about en exis substantiully perpendicular to the exis of the supporting-rod; whereby the capacity olf e, plurality of units may be simulteneensly varied with a minimum of lost motion 7, A gang or multiple-unit varie-bleelee tric condenser, eormorisingF u supporting rod; e` plurality of condenser-units mounted upon the said rod and euch consisting of n pair of complementary members emph heving :i plurality of venes offsetting `toward the venes of its complementary member; means for Coupling one member of one unit to :1 member of an adjoining unit; means for imparting concurrent bodily movement to the coupled membersin e plane parallel with the venes thereof, so as to telescope the seme between the venes of their complementary members; and u cam for` Ymoving the uneoupled member of one unit with respect to its complementary coupled member so as to vary the capacity of one unit independent `of another; whereby the capacity of a plurality of units may belsimultaneously varied with e minimum of lost motion.

8. A gang or multiple-unit variable electric condenser, comprising e, plurality of eondenser-units, each consisting of a pair of complementary .members7 'each having a plurality of venes offsetting toward bthe venes of its complementary member; means for coupling one member of one Aunit to a member of un jadjoiningunit; a rotary cam for imparting concurrent bodily7 movement to the coupled members in a plane parallel with the' venes thereof so as to telescope the sume between the vai-nes of their complementary members; whereby a differential movement-ratio may be imparted to the sa-id Coupledmembers 'by a, substantially uniform rotation of the said cum.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

HOWARD F. REICHENBACH. 

